Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-08
Art Education.


Even the children are gradually being edu-
Gated in art, says writer in the New York
Graphic, and demand that their toy books
shall be illustrated by such artists as Kate Green
away, Rosina Emmett or Walter Crane. 81 don't
like my new book one bit,' said a fve-year-old TO
me the other day, while scanning volume con-
tanning highly cOlored prints, which was the gift
OF an Old lady from the country. "Why doyou not
like it," asked, and to my astonishmet l found
she knew very well what was at fault. She OBJ
jected to the incongruous blending OF color. of the
expressions OF the faces, and III TACT, proved her.
self quite an art critic, and much further advanced
in art culture than the giver OF the book. The
child had uncOnsciously been educated By seeing
only good illustrations, and becoming accustomed
to them. This shows now early should begin The
education in all these things; 1t Is refining 70 have
only the BEST the trueSt art about US In order to
form correct taste.
We cannot buy expensive paintings, but within
the reach or almost every one are the engraVingS
and etchings OF the present day. There are two
classes OF etch1ngs-painter and reproductive etch
ings. The first named are the original works OF
the artists the last are copies OF aTLlStS from the
works OF others.
P.linter etchings have the value Of original
works. They show the method and spirit or the
artist lust as a sketch by MIN would.
In selecting an etching, OF course, the first thing
to be considered Is TO have it the work OF great
artist. or reproduction OF some famous picture.
Then you can be the subject Is all right. The
next Is the grade OF the etching which determines
the price-OI course the fewer Impressions made
from plate the rarer IL Is and naturally the more
valuable.
The first or highest grade OF etching is called
the '.reInark proof" THIS Is the first impression
made IRON the plate, which satisfies the artist,
and to distinguish IL from others he ''remarks it,
as stamp OF approval: The remark Is usually
little marginal sketch or an ideai head. These
in turn etched On the plate to show as 1t were
the etching has 'paSsed muster" These remark
proofs are printed with the utmost care, and
develop all the value OF the etching. Mr.. Klackner
says every copy which exhibits an tmperlectiOn,
even In line Is destroyed. There are seldom
more than fifty Impressions taken from the 're-
mark plate, SO that IL is, OF course, very valuable
The second grade, which are also very fine, are
called artists proofs" The remark Is polished
off the plate, and then the next 200 impressions
gui,hed by the name of The painter and the etcher
being written in either corner OF tle etching.
The next grade IS called ''proofs before letters"
they the next 100 impressions made after the
artists proofs" They are distinguished by the
name OF painter and etcher appearing on opposite
corners Of the etching. Only the names are
printed not written as Is the case with the signed
artist's proofs These also have the publishers
name In addition.
Etchings on India paper are the most valuable OF
those that come after the proots before letters"
The edition. however, Is not limited In number
They are, however, more valuable than ordinary
prints, on account OF the superior Impression o.
tatned on India paper.
The last grade are the plain proofs, printed on
linen paper. They have all the marks and names
OF the India print, and printed with equal
care. The paper, however, renders them of less
value, because the quality or the India paper en-
hances the beauty, While IL Increases the cost OF
the proof.
To be a collector OF etchings has for some time
been popular craze or rad," and IL is Oh the In
crease; no fashionable library or drawing room Is
complete without its portfOiioOf etchngs from the
great masters. 1t is topic OF general interest in
society. The collector may be an Old gentleman
who desires reproductions OF the great works OF
art he has seen abroad, or 1t may be pretty
her attractive bOudOir complete without its col
lection. 1t Is the fashion OF the day.